Scabies is a mite that burrows under the skin, causing a rash and irritation. Officials believe an outbreak at a Nashville jail may be affecting hundreds of inmates.(Photo: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

NASHVILLE — Health department officials here say all inmates and staff at a 1,300-bed privately run Nashville jail must be treated for scabies.

"We learned about at least two new scabies cases in the men's unit and contacted CoreCivic today to let them know they must treat all male inmates and staff at the Harding Place facility," Metro Public Health Department spokesman Brian Todd said in a Monday email.

All female inmates at the Davidson County Detention Center, located on Harding Place in Nashville, were to receive treatment for the parasite after the health department was notified of a scabies like rash in mid-May, officials have previously said.

Initially, roughly 320 inmates at the detention center were said to be receiving treatment, with 20 to 25 confirmed to have rashes, Todd said June 1. But the next day, the number was revised, saying 218 inmates were being treated, with 39 having a "scabies-like" rash.

The infestation spread to lawyers, staff and other courthouse employees in the meantime. On Monday, health department officials confirmed it had spread to the men's housing units at the jail.

Scabies is a skin infestation by the human itch mite, which often leads to an itchy rash, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is spread through close contact, and can survive for two to three days away from human skin, according to the CDC.

The jail is run by CoreCivic, a private company previously known as Corrections Corp. of America, or CCA.

Todd said the company notified the health department it is "in the process of obtaining the medication and will begin providing treatment" to the male inmates once the medication arrives.